29 And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes.
29 When Reuben returned to the cistern and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes.
29 When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not in the pit, he tore his clothes
29 Later Reuben came back and went to the cistern - no Joseph! He ripped his clothes in despair.
29 Then Reuben returned to the pit, and indeed Joseph was not in the pit; and he tore his clothes.
29 Some time later, Reuben returned to get Joseph out of the cistern. When he discovered that Joseph was missing, he tore his clothes in grief.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 37:29
Commentary on Genesis 37:23-30
(Read Genesis 37:23-30)
They threw Joseph into a pit, to perish there with hunger and cold; so cruel were their tender mercies. They slighted him when he was in distress, and were not grieved for the affliction of Joseph, see Psalm 76:10. Joseph's brethren were wonderfully restrained from murdering him, and their selling him as wonderfully turned to God's praise.